Despite making a 100% start to life in the Premier League as Tottenham Hotspur manager, Thomas Frank still wants to add to his squad to bolster the options at his disposal.
The Dane has already splashed £85m on new additions to date, with Mohammed Kudus the most-expensive signing – costing £55m from West Ham United.
The big-money addition of the Ghanaian has already proved worthwhile, notching two assists in the opening-day triumph over Burnley in North London.
Joao Palhinha has already been added to the ranks, bolstering the options at the heart of the side – already impressing just like Kudus – scoring in the victory over Manchester City at the Etihad.
However, other new arrivals are set to be added to the middle of Frank’s side to provide needed talent and depth, with the September 1st transfer deadline rapidly approaching.
Spurs’ hunt for a new midfielder this summer
In an attempt to bolster the midfield department, Spurs have been preparing a move for Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss – with the Moroccan set to leave the Foxes before the summer deadline.
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However, another name has been thrown into the mix as of late, with Marseille star Adrien Rabiot a player in their sights, according to reports in France.
It states that the Lilywhites have entered preliminary talks with the player’s representatives over a move to North London after he was told he’s free to leave the Ligue 1 outfit after a changing room bust-up.
It’s also previously been reported that the Frenchman could be available for as little as €20m (£15m), with AC Milan and Aston Villa also interested in the former Juventus star’s signature.
Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s answer to Rice
Spurs fans would’ve raised eyebrows when local rivals Arsenal forked out a reported £105m to land midfielder Declan Rice back in the summer of 2023.
However, as hard as it is for the Lilywhites faithful to admit, he’s been a superb addition for the Gunners, notching 16 goals and 20 assists within his 105 outings at the Emirates.
The 26-year-old has been triumphant in six of his 17 appearances against the Lilywhites, often providing a real presence in the middle of the park in such meetings.
His box-to-box nature allows him to have a real impact on proceedings at both ends of the pitch – but if Frank was to land his own version of the Englishman, it would likely cost a pretty penny.
However, a bargain deal for Rabiot could allow the club to land their own version of Rice, with the Frenchman possessing various similar qualities to the former West Ham United star.
The Marseille star was labelled as a similar player to the Gunners star by FBref based on their figures from last season, managing to outperform him in numerous key areas in the process.
Rabiot, who’s been labelled “world-class” by former French star David Trezeguet, posted more combined goals and assists, offering the Lilywhites an added goalscoring threat if he replicates such numbers.
Games played
29
35
Goals & assists
13
11
Pass accuracy
85%
83%
Passes into the final third
5.3
4.3
Progressive passes
6.2
6.1
Tackles won
1.2
0.8
Interceptions made
0.9
0.8
% of tackles won
59%
41%
Take-on success
52%
48%
Aerials won
1.2
1.1
He also managed to impress in finding other teammates, notching a higher pass completion rate, with more of his efforts per 90 being into the final third – offering the likes of Kudus added opportunities in front of goal.
Without the ball, Rabiot has been just as dominant, achieving a higher tackle success rate, whilst also making more interceptions per 90 – arguably being a more all-round box-to-box option than Arsenal star, Rice.
Given the stats produced by the 30-year-old in the 2024/25 campaign, the rumoured £15m transfer fee would be an absolute bargain – possessing the needed Champions League experience for Frank’s side ahead of their European adventure.
If he can replicate such levels in England’s top-flight, the Frenchman would be a superb signing and one that can hand the manager his answer to Rice – and a bargain one at that.
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